Zimbabwe Youth Agenda Trust Programme Officer, Lawrence Mashungu, on Saturday addressed youths across the political divide at Dombotombo Hall about the need to vote.
He also urged youths to resist being used as “tools for violence by the elderly leadership which cares less for our long term benefits”.
He said voter registration was an ongoing exercise at Registrar General’s offices across the country, and people should not wait for the last minute rush “as one risks missing out on the crucial voting exercise”.
Mushungu took a swipe at youths who surrendered their fate into the hands of ‘selfish’ political leadership.
“Most of the current political leadership would just buy you alcoholic drinks and make you willing agents of violence. No long term benefits would come out of it. It was disturbing to learn that out of the 60 percent youth population, only less than 20 percent aired their views in the constitution making process.
Unlike the youth, women participated in large numbers and demanded a 50 percent stake out of any future political, social and economic activity. Why as youth are we content with being used as defenders of other categories of people’s rights?” he asked.
He urged youths to make their voice heard, by voting No at the constitutional referendum if issues such as the disenfranchisement of ‘alien’ youths were not tackled in the new constitution.
The youth were also asked to demand accountability on the part of elected officials such as local authority councillors, Members of Parliament, Senators and other higher office bearers.
“It is important for the electorate to realise that bills passed into law in Parliament should come into being after consultations with the grassroots. Elected officials are your servants and you should demand accountability from them. They are not the master.
The electorate, especially youth, should not be docile but be in a position to recall non-performing elected officials,” said the firebrand youth leader.
Post published in: News